Category 2 centres

Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO

Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO are established and funded by Member States to contribute to the achievement of UNESCO’s objectives by way of global, regional, subregional or interregional activities. They are not legally a part of the Organization, but are associated with it through formal agreements between UNESCO and the Member State hosting the centre. The centres are intended to serve as international or regional centres and poles of expertise or excellence to provide technical assistance and services to Member States, cooperation partners and also to the network of UNESCO field offices. The category 2 centres are expected to contribute directly to achieving the Strategic Programme Objectives or programme priorities and themes of the Organization, and specifically to UNESCO’s programme results at the MLA level.

The centres share certain key objectives, among which are:

(a) to promote the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and contribute to its implementation;

(b) to reinforce capacities in the Region for actively implementing the 2003 Convention on the regional and international level;

(c) to increase the participation of communities, groups and individuals in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in the Region; and

(d) to foster regional and international cooperation for safeguarding ICH.